With the turn of each page, a novel immerses its reader into a world of fantasy, tragedy or romance. Words jump off the page, guiding readers on a journey into the unknown. Students in Northwood High School's dance theater class have been inspired, showcasing their interpretations of their favorite books in their spring concert, "The Next Chapter."

"The Next Chapter," which will be performed Wednesday and Friday, provides Northwood High students with the opportunity to incorporate their favorite storylines and motifs into a dance routine. The concert features 33 pieces – with each providing a new angle on classic, as well as modern novels.

Unlike the dancers' fall concert, which does not have a theme, Judy Scialpi, Northwood High's dance director, said each piece in the spring concert is inspired by a novel and is student-choreographed. The concert is organized into two sections: starting with classical stories like "Peter Pan" and finishing off with contemporary novels such as "Harry Potter" and "The Hunger Games."

"The opening show is based on three different varieties of dance: lyrical, contemporary, and pointe," Scialpi said. "I think by the first three dances of the show you'll get a good sample of the level of the dancers."

Through three different stylistic interpretations of "Peter Pan," Scialpi said the students are encouraged to interpret the stories in creative ways. She said that Northwood gives its dancers an outlet to delve into the choreographic process – so they get to experience what it is like to come up with a concept and translate it into a story.

"You hear a song and see movement, that's just part of being a dancer," Scialpi said. "The harder part is getting other people to connect with it in the same way."

Analia Ornelas, a Northwood High School senior, choreographed a piece inspired by "The Hunger Games." She said the hardest part of choreographing is not coming up with the movement, but it is making sure it translates onto her dancers.

"It's really hard to tell someone to do something and it turns out totally different," Ornelas said. "I want them to add their own style into it, but also stay in character and to do what I tell them to."

In this way, Ornelas said choreographing from novels is a lot more challenging, since choreographers have to stick to the storyline while making sure their dancers look uniform.

However, senior Rebecca Baldwin disagrees and said she immediately knew how to execute her vision for "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." After the theme was set, Baldwin said Nurse Ratched's manipulative personality inspired her dance.

"After reading the book in English, my ideas were already set and I could visualize (my dance)," Baldwin said. "The audience has read or heard of most of the books were doing, so I think they will really be able to connect with the show."

Because choreographers interpreted the same novel in different ways, senior Mary Langsdorf said that the audience will connect with the performances on multiple levels.

"We may have multiple people doing the same book, but it works because they are totally different concepts," she said. "There are so many different aspects you can use as inspiration."

Although Ornelas' dance symbolizes the longing and love in "Romeo and Juliet," senior Meg Iwama countered that her interpretation is completely different. Iwama said while Ornelas focuses on the romantic side of the story, she was inspired by the darker side.

"Usually our shows have lighter music, but I wanted to show a darker side about death and mourning," Iwama said. "(The soloist's) memories are attacking her, but she can't give it up."

Even though both students connected to the same story, Iwana said their outcomes were unique with different storylines and emotions. She said Northwood High School's concerts have given her the opportunity to develop her creativity as a choreographer and dancer.

Senior Emily Leifer first started choreographing at Northwood her sophomore year. Because this is her last dance theater show, she said it is bittersweet. Leifer said she thinks this is the strongest theme they have had, and she has grown tremendously during her time at Northwood.

"I really like how much freedom we have," Leifer said. "At other schools they have a coach telling them exactly what to do, but dance theater gives us the opportunity to explore through choreography."

Northwood High School's dance class rehearses for "The Next Chapter." DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School's Jasper Hwang stretches before rehearsal for "The Next Chapter" a dance concert inspired by books like the "The Diary of Anne Frank," "Peter Pan," "The Hunger Games" and "Twilight." DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Dance class students at Northwood High School wait to rehearse "The Next Chapter" a dance concert inspired by books. DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School's Amanda Ascher warms up before rehearsing for "The Next Chapter" a dance concert inspired by books. DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School's Claire Nguyen rehearses for "The Next Chapter" a dance concert inspired by books. DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School Dance Teacher, Judy Scialpi works with a student's feet during rehearsal for "The Next Chapter." DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School's Jasper Hwang, center, rehearses for "The Next Chapter." DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School's Jasper Hwang stretches before rehearsing for "The Next Chapter." DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School's dance class warms up with crunches before rehearsing for "The Next Chapter." DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER
Northwood High School's Caralyn Brown rehearses for "The Next Chapter." DREW A. KELLEY, FOR THE REGISTER

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